Newport Folk Fest is my favorite weekend of the year. Dawes played an incredible set to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of their “North Hills” record, complete with many special guests (Jason Isbell, John McCauley of Deer Tick, MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger, Benmont Tench of the Heartbreakers, and more!). After catching that, I […]
Guy Forsyth & Jeska Bailey – Conspirators
The sound crawls out of the Mississippi Delta before taking wing over the vast Texas landscape. After soaring above you it lands back in the cotton field, where sanctity and sin go hand in hand. That’s about the best way I can describe the new album from Guy Forsyth and Jeska Bailey, their first recording […]
Robert Ellis/Texas Piano Man
I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled upon Texas Piano Man, the recent release from Robert Ellis. I’m thinking it was the monsters at Spotify that put him in my queue or something. Whoever or whatever it was, I owe them a pat on the back, as for the last 2 weeks I’ve been playing […]
Newport Folk Festival 2019 – New Faces
Even though Twangville has been lucky enough to cover many Newport Folk Festivals in the past, the lineup this year has made some great choices to get new faces in front of music fans. The lineup is filled with both new acts garnering critical buzz and underappreciated gems. It’s that dedication to amazing and innovative […]
Newport Folk Festival 2019 – Big Names
This year’s Newport Folk Festival boasts many big name acts and lean towards a jam band atmosphere. Both Phil Lesh and Trey Anastasio will be playing sets. Phil with the Terrapin Family Band (which includes his son Grahame and others based around Phil’s own music venue Terrapin Crossroads in Marin County, California. Trey Anastasio will […]
The 40 Acre Mule – Goodnight and Good Luck
There are many paths a band can take between inception and the first album (assuming they make it that far). The 40 Acre Mule chose to follow a simple formula. First they decided to kick ass and do it loudly. Second they played anywhere and everywhere people would listen, and made it a party. Third […]
Derek Senn – How Could A Man
Central California musician Derek Senn’s latest album, How Could A Man, creates a kind of musical black hole. As you approach it, the shining light (or in this case, the lyrics) tells you of its existence, and tempts you to come closer. As you circle about it though, you realize there’s no escape. Time becomes […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2019 (So Far), the Albums
Orphans by Michael McDermott It speaks volumes about Michael McDermott’s songwriting prowess that the songs that make up Orphans were originally written for his last few albums but were left sitting on the shelf. In some ways this is fairly relaxed record by McDermott standards, but it still packs a powerful emotional punch. Key Tracks: […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2019, Part 2
All Some Kind of Dream, Josh Ritter (from the Pytheas Recordings release Fever Breaks) Josh Ritter is one of the most literate songwriters of these times, waxing poetic as easily as unleashing fiery commentary. He sets the tone early on the newly released Fever Breaks with “Ground Don’t Want Me” a somewhat jubilant melody and […]
Mike Jacoby – Long Beach Calling
What came first, the chicken or the egg. Did Mike Jacoby write songs honoring The Clash and Elvis before he knew about the album artwork connection? Or, did he pen one of the songs after discovering the London Calling and Elvis Presley sleeves? Either way, his latest collection of originals, Long Beach Calling, puts an […]